Weights ... and wait

COEUR d'ALENE - At one time, it helped Coeur d'Alene native John Friesz to a career in the National Football League.

Now, after more than 20 years of use, the space and equipment in Coeur d'Alene High's weight room needs to be re-evaluated.

"It's been the same stuff since the late 80s," said Shawn Amos, advanced weights instructor and Coeur d'Alene High football coach. "We worked on trying to get a remodel done several years ago and some businesses got fired up, but then the economy failed and it went away."

After raising some funds, a group is currently working to get things back on track for the remodel, which will include adding a hitting facility for the baseball/softball programs in the future. Amos added that when the weather is bad during the spring, they can see up to 250 athletes running the halls at Cd'A.

"We're kind of back to phase one," Amos said. "We're looking to fix the area we have to help the athletes train effectively for various sports. During the spring, we'll have over 200 kids running the halls and about half of that in here after school working out."

see WEIGHTS, B2

Coeur d'Alene High has an average of 42 students for each class period from 7:45 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"We're scraping by trying to train athletes more effectively," Amos said. "Instead of a rotation at some stations, we've got kids in line waiting their turn."

The group has raised $25,000 toward remodeling the weight room, with the goal of raising another $100,000 for the work.

"We're hoping to train 48 students effectively in a class period," Amos said. "To do that, we need the equipment and space to do that effectively."

Amos added that most of the equipment the Vikings athletes use is somewhat old, which leads to some breaking down during a given day.

"We have a lot of older stuff," Amos said. "We want to replace some items with more-efficient items, so that kids aren't standing around waiting."

The Coeur d'Alene School District does not have a budget for the weight room, nor does Amos think that it should be a priority for taxpayers to fund it.

"We've never had a budget for the weight room, and it doesn't make sense financially to do it," Amos said. "But it's the backbone of an athletic program. Our programs have been succeeding without a quality facility. With as many kids as we have in here, either during or after school - it becomes a safety issue. There isn't a day that goes by that a piece of equipment doesn't break down."

With the funds that are raised, Coeur d'Alene plans on renaming the Phase 1 remodel after former Viking booster Lee Shellman, who passed away in December.

Shellman is credited with starting the Athletic Training program at Coeur d'Alene, as well as his work in the Coeur d'Alene area.

"We made a proposal to name it after Lee," Amos said. "He was a very active and supportive member of the Viking family."

Amos added in the 14 years he's been at the school, the weight room has changed locations multiple times.

"We haven't had a real remodel like we're looking at now," Amos said. "We built the original weight room and it has moved four times. We haven't had the funds to do any improvements. With our fundraising efforts, the district isn't paying a dime - nor are they in a position to."

Coeur d'Alene High has enlisted the help of some business sponsors, which have also donated time and effort to help with the project.

Donating businesses include: Shorewood Homes, Premier Electric, Peak Health Clubs, Pacific Northwest Painting, Excell Drywall, Rubenstein's Contract Carpet and Parker Toyota.

Amos added the goal is to raise as much money as possible by March 26 and then put those funds toward renovations.

"We're going to get after it and see what we can get done," Amos said. "We're trying to be realistic and see what can get do with the momentum we've got going now."

Coeur d'Alene High will place a plaque on the outside of the gym for contributors and donors to the project. Donors names will also appear on a special page in the Viking football program.

"We've got a lot of people looking to help in different ways," Amos said.

However, Amos realizes the project could take anywhere from months to years to complete.

"We want to focus on utilizing the space we have right now," Amos said. "To do everything at once is not a realistic goal. Once the economy turns around, maybe we can add a hitting facility."

For more information about the project, or to make a donation, contact Amos at 667-4507 or e-mail at samos@cdaschools.org.